Introduction to the Themes of Biology

AP Biology is organized into four major “big ideas.” Concepts relating to the “big ideas” are then organized into “enduring understandings.” Within each “enduring understanding” are statements of “essential knowledge.” At the lowest level, each “big idea” features learning objectives that offer very explicit statements as to what students should be able to do after studying each “big idea.”

There are areas of overlap between each of the four Big Ideas. Concepts relating to each Idea should be discussed in a manner that illustrates this interconnectedness.